Windows+Shift+S Snipping Tool Shortcut Not Working [Fix]

The Windows+Shift+S keyboard shortcut is one of the quickest ways to capture screenshots in Windows 11 and Windows 10. Instead of taking a full-screen image, it instantly opens the Snipping Tool overlay, allowing you to capture a rectangular area, a free-form section, a specific window, or the entire screen. Whether you need screenshots for work, school, gaming, or troubleshooting, this shortcut saves time and makes sharing information much easier.

However, many users suddenly discover that pressing Windows+Shift+S does nothing. Sometimes the screen briefly dims, but no screenshot is captured. In other cases, the shortcut simply stops responding after a Windows update, a software conflict, or an incorrect setting. You might also receive an error message or notice that screenshots are no longer copied to the clipboard.

In most situations, the issue is caused by disabled notifications, a corrupted Snipping Tool app, background processes, keyboard problems, or outdated system files.

Let’s learn the steps to resolve this issue.

Table of Contents

Windows+Shift+S Snipping Tool Shortcut Not Working

When you press Windows+Shift+S, Windows launches the Snipping Tool in the background and displays a small toolbar at the top of the screen. After selecting the area you want to capture, the screenshot is copied to the clipboard. A notification then appears, allowing you to open, edit, and save the image.

If any part of this process fails, the shortcut may appear broken. For example, Windows may not recognize the keyboard shortcut, the Snipping Tool may fail to start, notifications might be disabled, or the clipboard may not work properly. In some cases, third-party screenshot applications also interfere with the shortcut.

Let’s learn to resolve it!

Step 1: Make Sure the Keyboard Shortcut Is Working

Before changing Windows settings, verify that your keyboard is functioning correctly.

Press the Windows key by itself. The Start menu should open immediately. If it does not, the Windows key on your keyboard may be disabled or malfunctioning.

Next, open Notepad and press the Shift key while typing letters. The letters should appear in uppercase. This confirms that the Shift key is working properly.

Now press Windows+E. If File Explorer opens, Windows is detecting keyboard shortcuts correctly.

Finally, try pressing Windows+Shift+S again. If nothing happens while other shortcuts work normally, continue with the next solution.

Sometimes gaming keyboards include a Gaming Mode that disables the Windows key to prevent accidental interruptions while playing games. If your keyboard has this feature, disable Gaming Mode and test the shortcut again.

Step 2: Restart the Snipping Tool

Like any Windows application, the Snipping Tool can occasionally freeze or stop responding.

Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
Select the Processes tab and look for Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch depending on your Windows version.

If you find it running, select it and choose End task.
Close Task Manager and open the Start menu.
Search for Snipping Tool and launch it manually.
Once the application opens successfully, close it and try pressing Windows+Shift+S again.

Restarting the application clears temporary glitches that may prevent the shortcut from launching properly.

Step 3: Restart Windows Explorer

The Windows Explorer process controls many desktop features, including taskbar functions and certain keyboard shortcuts.

Open Task Manager.
Locate Windows Explorer under the Processes tab.
Select it and click Restart.
Your taskbar may disappear briefly before returning. This is completely normal.
Once Explorer restarts, test the Windows+Shift+S shortcut again.

Restarting Windows Explorer refreshes several Windows components without requiring a complete system restart.

Step 4: Enable Snipping Tool Notifications

Many users think the shortcut is broken when the screenshot is actually being captured, but the notification never appears.

Open Settings.
Select System.
Open Notifications.
Scroll down until you find Snipping Tool.
Make sure notifications are turned on.
Also ensure that Allow notifications is enabled for your system.

After enabling notifications, use Windows+Shift+S again and watch for the notification in the lower-right corner of the screen.

Step 5: Repair the Snipping Tool

Windows includes a repair feature that fixes damaged application files without removing your settings.

Open Settings.
Select Apps.
Open Installed apps.
Find Snipping Tool.
Click the three-dot menu beside it and select Advanced options.
Scroll to the Repair section.
Click Repair.

Windows will attempt to fix the application automatically.

When the repair finishes, restart the Snipping Tool and test the keyboard shortcut again.

Step 6: Reset the Snipping Tool

If repairing the application does not help, resetting it restores the app to its default condition.

Open the same Advanced options page for Snipping Tool.

Select Reset.

Confirm your choice.

Keep in mind that resetting the application removes its saved preferences, although your existing screenshots remain safe.

After the reset finishes, restart your computer and check whether Windows+Shift+S works again.

Step 7: Check Clipboard History

The shortcut copies screenshots directly to the Clipboard before displaying the notification.

Open Settings.
Select System.
Open Clipboard.
Turn on Clipboard history.
Press Windows+V to confirm that Clipboard History opens.
Now capture a screenshot using Windows+Shift+S.
Open Windows+V again to see whether the screenshot appears in the clipboard history.

If it does, the shortcut is functioning correctly, and the issue is likely related to notifications rather than screenshot capture.

Step 8: Disable Conflicting Screenshot Applications

Some third-party applications replace the default screenshot shortcut.

Programs such as screen recording utilities, gaming overlays, remote desktop software, and image capture tools may intercept Windows+Shift+S before Windows receives it.

Temporarily close any screenshot or recording software running in the background.

You can also restart your computer without launching these applications.

Once Windows starts, test the shortcut again.

If the shortcut begins working, reopen your applications one at a time until you identify the conflicting software.

Step 9: Update Windows

Microsoft frequently releases fixes for problems affecting Windows features, including the Snipping Tool.

Open Settings.

Select Windows Update.

Click Check for updates.

Install every available update.

Restart your computer after the installation completes.

Updating Windows replaces outdated system files and resolves compatibility problems introduced by earlier updates.

Step 10: Update the Snipping Tool

Even if Windows is fully updated, the Snipping Tool itself may require a newer version.

Open the Microsoft Store.

Search for Snipping Tool.

If an update is available, install it.

After the update finishes, restart the application and test the shortcut again.

Keeping the application updated ensures compatibility with the latest Windows improvements.

Step 11: Run the System File Checker

Corrupted Windows system files can prevent keyboard shortcuts from functioning correctly.

Type Command Prompt into the Start menu.

Right-click it and select Run as administrator.

Enter the following command:

sfc /scannow

Press Enter.

The scan may take several minutes to complete.

If Windows finds damaged files, it automatically repairs them.

Restart your computer after the scan finishes and test Windows+Shift+S once more.

Step 12: Use DISM to Repair Windows Image Files

If the System File Checker cannot repair everything, use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool.

Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

Type the following command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Press Enter.

Allow the scan to complete without interruption.

Restart your computer afterward.

This tool repairs the Windows system image, which often resolves persistent issues affecting system features.

Step 13: Restart Your Computer

Although it sounds simple, restarting Windows remains one of the most effective troubleshooting methods.

A restart clears temporary memory, reloads Windows services, refreshes background processes, and removes temporary software conflicts.

Save your work before restarting.

After Windows starts again, immediately test Windows+Shift+S before opening other applications.

Many temporary issues disappear after a fresh restart.

Step 14: Create a New User Account

If the shortcut still does not work, the problem may be limited to your current Windows profile.

Create a new local or Microsoft account from Settings.

Press Windows+Shift+S.

If the shortcut works normally, your original user profile may contain corrupted settings.

You can continue using the new account or migrate your personal files if necessary.

FAQs

Why is Windows+Shift+S not opening the Snipping Tool?

This usually happens because of corrupted application files, disabled notifications, clipboard issues, keyboard problems, outdated Windows files, or conflicts with third-party screenshot software.

Why does my screen dim but no screenshot is saved?

The screenshot is normally copied to the Clipboard instead of being saved automatically. Press Windows+V to check whether the image was copied successfully, then paste it into an application such as Paint or open the notification to save it.

Can I reinstall the Snipping Tool?

Yes. You can uninstall the application from Settings, restart your computer, and install the latest version again through the Microsoft Store.

Does updating Windows fix this problem?

Yes. Many users regain the Windows+Shift+S shortcut after installing the latest Windows updates because Microsoft regularly fixes application- and shortcut-related bugs.

Why does the shortcut stop working after installing another screenshot program?

Some screenshot utilities use the same keyboard shortcut. Closing or reconfiguring those applications usually restores the default Windows shortcut.

Summary

The Windows+Shift+S shortcut is one of the fastest ways to capture screenshots in Windows 11 and Windows 10. Still, it can stop working due to software conflicts, damaged application files, disabled notifications, clipboard problems, or corrupted Windows components. Fortunately, most issues can be resolved without advanced technical knowledge.

Start by confirming that your keyboard is working correctly, then restart the Snipping Tool and Windows Explorer. If the problem continues, repair or reset the application, enable notifications, verify your clipboard settings, and check for conflicts with third-party screenshot software. Installing the latest Windows and Snipping Tool updates, followed by running SFC and DISM scans, can repair damaged system files that interfere with the shortcut. If none of these solutions work, testing the shortcut in a new Windows user account can help determine whether your current profile is causing the issue.

By following these steps carefully, even first-time Windows users can restore the Windows+Shift+S shortcut and continue capturing screenshots quickly and efficiently.